Dario J. Moore is a former dancer with Ballethnic Dance Company and is recognized as an innovator of dance in the area. He has more than 22 years of experience in arts education, production and project management. Moore is also the founder/artistic director of Moore Dance Project (2001-present). Over the past 15 years, Moore Dance Project has presented more than 42 diverse dance works through partnerships with over 35 organizations, including Bethune-Cookman University, MicheLee Puppets and the Museum of Florida Art. Moore co-founded The Center for Contemporary Dance and has served as its Artistic Director since 2001. He has been featured locally on PBS Television, FOX News and the Daily Buzz Morning Talk Show; feature articles about Moore have appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Arts Magazine and Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine. Honored for excellence in statewide contributions to arts education by the Florida Alliance for Arts Education (2011), Moore has served as a grant panelist for United Arts of Central Florida, a regular presenter for the Florida Dance Educator Organization, and an arts educator for public schools across the state. Moore holds an MA degree from American University in dance education; dance programs developed by Moore annually reach over 5,000 Title I public school children.

Craig W. Johnson is a seasoned Executive with more than 22 years of experience in arts management, arts marketing, fundraising and event production. A graduate of Rollins College, his philosophies in arts management have been featured in university textbooks, national/international magazines and local newspapers. Johnson co-founded The Center for Contemporary Dance and has served as its Executive Director since 2001; Creative Director for U-Turn Dance Company in Washington, DC (1994-2001); Development Director for the Little Red Theatre in New Jersey (1990-1994). He has served as a consultant for several Florida arts organizations, including Nao Dance, Emotions Dance Company, the Asian Cultural Association, Yow Dance, DRIP and Patelworks Dance Theater. He is the co-founder of the Florida Dance Education Forum, which ensures quality dance programming at the public school level. As Executive Director, Johnson has successfully launched partnerships and produced major projects with more than 50 Florida organizations, including MicheLee Puppets, Trinity Preparatory School, Rollins College, Bethune-Cookman University and dozens of Central Florida public schools.

Ingrid F. Lozano is a professional dance educator, award-winning choreographer and former professional dancer who has been teaching and inspiring students for over 25 years. Lozano specializes in the Vaganova Method and holds a Masters of Education in Dance & Theater from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. She trained at the prestigious Royal Winnipeg Ballet with a scholarship and with the Cuban Ballet of Alicia Alonso. Lozano danced professionally as a soloist with companies in the United States including Fort Worth Ballet in TX, Bristol Concert Ballet in VA., South America, Europe, Canada and in Mexico with the National Classical Ballet Company. In 2012, Lozano joined the faculty of Allen Ting Ballet in China where she served as international guest teacher and choreographer for a Youth Company in Nanchang. She has been dance professor/assistant director at Virginia Intermont College and Texas Tech University. Lozano has served as an artistic director, owner, professor, ballet mistress and guest teacher with professional companies, universities and dance schools all over the world. Recognized for her expertise in the Vaganova Method, she is sought by and continues to consult with professional and pre-professional dance centers across the globe, assisting them in building outstanding classical ballet programs.

Douglas Horne danced professionally after studying on full scholarship with American Ballet Theatre (New York), Miami City Ballet (Miami, Florida) and Studio Maestro (New York). In June 2010 he was Bronze medal winner in the World Ballet Competition; and in June 2009 he was a finalist in The New York International Ballet competition. Additionally, he was semi-finalist in the renowned International Ballet Competition in Varna (Bulgaria) and won Gold in the senior classical division of the Youth America Grand Prix semifinals in Torrington, Connecticut where he was among the top twelve dancers in the senior contemporary division. In 2007 he won the Gold medal in the senior division of the Youth Dance Festival of New Jersey. Locally, Mr. Horne danced leading roles from 2009 to 2013 with Orlando Ballet in *Cinderella,* *Le Corsaire* and *Esmerelda* (pas de deux), *Don Quixote*, *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* and *The Nutcracker*. He also originated several soloist and principal roles in contemporary works. He appeared in a featured role in the Orlando Philharmonic’s 2012 production of *Carousel*. Mr. Horne teaches ballet technique, men’s classes, and partnering, and serves as director and contributing choreographer for the ballet performing ensembles at The Center for Contemporary Dance.

Dawn Branch is a native New Yorker and a graduate of the world-renowned LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. She holds a BA in Media & Communications from State University at Old Westbury and is DEA Certified Level II. Ms. Branch was a soloist with the Bernice Johnson Dance Company and was a scholarship student with the Alvin Ailey American Dance School. She studied under the guidance of Mde. Darvarsh, Penny Frank, Denise Jefferson, Kevin Austin Hunt and Kevin Iega Jeff, the founder and artistic director of the Chicago-based Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre and artist-in-residence for Howard University’s dance major program. Ms. Branch co-choreographed with Michael Peters (choreographer for Michael Jackson) for “On Stage America,” performed with Ben Vereen at Avery Fisher Hall in New York and performed with Diana Ross at Central Park, also in New York. She was the rehearsal director for The Chocolate Nutcracker (Orlando, FL) performed with Moore Dance Project (operating out of The Center for Contemporary Dance in Winter Park, FL), and is the Founder and President of Dawn Branch Master Dance Series & Performances. Ms. Branch directs Dawn Branch Works, a contemporary dance company and resident artist at The Center for Contemporary Dance. Learn more at www.dawnbranchworks.com.

Hailing from San Antonio, TX, Andrew Coronado began his dance training at the age of 18 studying at The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas on full scholarship. He received further training at Palo Alto College, Kansas City Ballet, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, and The Plano Dance Theatre. In his professional career, he has danced with Spareworks Contemporary Dance Company (founding dancer, teacher, choreographer), Muscle Memory Dance Theatre (first company, teacher, choreographer), The Dallas Black Dance Theatre II (second company, dancer), and The San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet (first soloist). Mr. Coronado’s other professional achievements include Co-Founder, Executive and Co-Artistic Director for Ordinary Spaces (an organization aimed at promoting public dance performances), starting a dance professional’s training program at Our Lady of the Lake University, and teaching workshops/setting choreography for many professional dance companies and schools including Erison Dancers (San Antonio, TX), City in Motion Dance Theatre (Kansas City, MO), Contemporary Dance Fort Worth (Fort Worth, TX), and Collective Dance Artistry (Helotes, TX), among others. Mr. Coronado is honored to be a part of The Center for Contemporary Dance and is excited to foster the creativity and talent of the next generation of dance artists.

Ellie Potts Barrett is an accomplished dance educator, performer and international choreographer. Ms. Barrett studied Modern Dance at Boston Conservatory, and received her BA in Dance from the University of South Florida. She composed the Modern Dance Syllabus for the Florida Dance Masters Organization, which will be used as a study tool for the testing of future Modern dance teachers in Florida. Ms. Barrett danced with the Ina Hahn Modern Dance Company, Boston Dance Company and Mary Anthony in New York. She has been an associate at the Atlantic Center for the Arts to Master Artists Merce Cunningham, Meg Harper and Elizabeth Streb. Ms. Barrett produced and choreographed BARRETTWERKS, a 2008 Modern dance concert presented in Orlando. Ms. Barrett is the 2008 recipient of the Central Florida Lifetime Achievement Dance Award, given by the University of Central Florida. In 2010, she choreographed the Orlando Philharmonic/Mad Cow Theatre production of Guys and Dolls which starred Broadway actor Davis Gaines. She was invited back to choreograph Carousel (2012), and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2013), and in 2014 La Traviata. She most recently choreographed Mad Cow Theatre’s production of Hair. Ms. Barrett is thrilled to be joining the talented faculty of The Center for Contemporary Dance. To learn more about Ms. Barrett, please visit www.elliepottsbarrett.com.

Dr. Margo Blake began training over 48 years ago. Her instructors included Lester Wilson, choreographer for “Saturday Night Fever,” and Michael Peters, choreographer for Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and “Thriller” videos, and the original Broadway production of “Dream Girls.” She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Lincoln Center, and worked on the film “The Wiz.” She is a founding artist of the FreshStArts Program at Rollins College, and has owned two dance studios. Dr. Blake holds an H.D.D., B.S. and A.S. in Christian Education, an M.A.A.A. from Goucher College and a B.F.A. from Temple University. Her dance education includes studies in Ghana, West Africa and Katherine Dunham’s Cultural Technique Seminars in St. Louis, MO. She has been a company member with the Bernice Johnson Dance Company and Arthur Hall’s Afro-American Dance Ensemble. Dr. Blake has served as an adjunct dance professor at Rollins College and Temple University. Notably, she was the first African-American female Associate Show Director for Walt Disney World Entertainment, training both choreographers and cast members for Festival of The Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Dr. Blake is a Teaching Artist for OCAE, FAAE and is been a guest Consultant in African dance for the Clark County School District’s Equity & Diversity Dept. in Las Vegas, NV.

Kellina (Kelly) Rutherford began her technical career as a gymnast, practicing and competing from the age of three until 14. Kelly was introduced to the world of competitive cheerleading and dance through UCF All-Stars, where she used her skills as a gymnast to contribute to the success of the team. Under the tutelage of Julie Johnson, she progressed quickly, utilizing her skills as a gymnast to maximize her potential. After only a year of training, Kelly started her career as a professional dancer and has been training and performing ever since. In 2009, she received first place at the World Of Dance Tour in New York, NY as a part of Studio One Productions. In 2010, she also won first place at Worlds in Orlando, FL, the largest, most competitive international All-Star dance competition. Kelly also competed on the hit show America’s Got Talent Season 5 as a part of Studio One Young Beast Society. Her team achieved much success, making it to the competition’s top 5 finalists and touring the United States in over 20 major locations. Kelly has also toured the world performing with Fighting Gravity, a black light illusionist act that was one of the final 4 competitors on America’s Got Talent Season 5. Kelly is currently teaching hip hop to all ages, including instruction in House, Popping, Locking, Waacking, Breaking, Tutting and Street Jazz. She continues to broaden her dance vocabulary by taking a variety of dance classes and maintaining a student-like mentality. Kelly plans to further her dance career by taking advantage of her gifts, staying humble, and always giving back.

Raised in New York City with roots in Puerto Rico, David Gabriel has been immersed in Latin dance and Music all of his life. In 2007, he began his formal training at Universal Mambo Dance Academy (Orlando, FL) and would go on to perform with the group in over a dozen shows throughout the country. In an effort to branch out into folkloric forms of Latin dance, David moved back to NYC and began studying at the Oriki Omi Oddara Afro-Cuban Dance Theater under the tutelage of Felix Insua. In 2012, after completing his B.S. degree in Education, David started DG’s Afro-Latin Dance Project. Since then, his company has performed in numerous events, such as the Latin Jazz Festival of Orlando, The Dance Happy Project, and The Creative City Project. David has taught his unique curriculum in workshops at Florida State University, The University of Central Florida, Embry–Riddle University, and was a featured instructor at the National Dance Day event at The Orlando Ballet School.

Nikki Peña is an artist and educator. As a student she trained at Deborah Case Dance Academy in McAllen, Texas and Southern Dance Theatre in Boynton Beach, Florida. After high school Ms. Peña studied with numerous professors at Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, and Valencia Community College. She also has had the opportunity to attend various dance festivals, including the American College Dance Festival in San Francisco, California and the annual Florida Dance Educators Organization conference. As a performer, she has danced with various Central Florida dance companies including U-Turn Dance, Patelworks Dance Theater, NAO Dance Collective, and Explore Theatre & Dance Co. While working with NAO Dance Collective, she had the opportunity to act as the Associate Artistic Director and Rehearsal Director. Ms. Peña was also the Artistic Director for Explore Theatre & Dance Co. for a summer production project. In the fall of 2012, Ms. Peña founded her improvisational dance company, Coby Project, and was accepted into The Center for Contemporary Dance’s Residency Program. She is excited to join the faculty at The Center for Contemporary Dance and share her passion for dance with the community.

Elizabeth Bernstein, a central Florida native, is currently finishing her Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She studied ballet at Orlando Ballet School under the direction of Peter Stark and Fernando Bujones and modern with fellow CCD faculty member Ellie Potts Barrett. She has attended training programs at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and has spent her past two summers studying at the American Dance Festival under the direction of Gerri Houlihan. Ms. Bernstein is finishing up her degree in dance under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield while also establishing herself as a dance maker and educator. This year, Ms. Bernstein has worked with Jesse Zaritt, Katie Swords-Thurman, Douglas Becker, and Doug Varone. Additionally, she worked with Jillian Peña, No Face Performance Group, and Chelsea & Magda, a collective of New York and Philly based artists in association with Philly FringeArts. As a student herself, Ms. Bernstein continually strives to give back to her students while simultaneously learning from their diverse approach to movement exploration.

Maria “Olivia” Bryant is a native of Orange County, FL and graduate of Rollins College who has performed internationally as a vocalist. Maria traveled to Europe on a gospel tour, and throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean Islands as a Lead Vocalist on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Maria is also a recording artist who has performed with such notable celebrities as Vickie Winans, Walt Whitman, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Williams Jr., Dennis Edward & The Temptations Preview, Tommy Ford, Jimmie Reid and Ray Hush of the Hush Brothers. Maria’s repertoire and teaching expertise encompasses Gospel, Opera, Broadway, Classical, Motown, R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz and Blues. In addition to fulfilling her musical career, Maria is a professional arts educator for Orange County Public Schools.

This Instructor Teaches:

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